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Spammers Bring Down Site Dedicated to Fight Money Laundering

UK's Bobbear.co.uk, a very useful site that deals with illegal acts of money laundering via the Internet, has come under attack by hackers resulting in its unexpected shut down. According to Sophos, this was the fraudsters' attempt to malign the Website's reputation.

The Bobbear's site maintains a list of fake job advertisements, which help to enlist money mules whose job is to move money through their own bank accounts in return for a portion of the money transferred. There is a fair possibility that a number of sites advertise such jobs in the name of genuine companies and designate the post as 'representative' or 'country agent'.

Sophos, which has intercepted the spam mail campaign, reported that the fraudsters were trying to damage the reputation of Bobbear by requesting to contribute donations for the site via eGold, the provider of services of online payment. However, Bobbear has clearly specified that the campaign is a hoax, as it is its principle not to spam mails or approach anyone for donations.

The spam mail having an eGold account number requests the recipient to make a donation fast for the site that battles child porno and money laundry. It says Bobbear.co.uk was fighting for users' peace.

Administrator Bob Harrison for Bobbear.co.uk said in a statement that the attack was working to some extent. Since many people were against the spam, Harrison has appealed the objection and the police were being very helpful, he said. Vununet published Harrison's statement on October 12, 2007.

Graham Cluley, Senior Technology Consultant at Sophos, also criticized the criminals' act of trying to tarnish the Website by using Bobbear's name to send spam and request for donations. He said that innocent people wanting to take part in the battle against online money laundering and child abuse might contribute donations but they would be only filling the criminals' pockets.

Earlier in April this year (2007), Sophos had reported an allegation, which the Department of Justice made about eGold owners that they allowed fund transfers even after knowing the transfers followed from illegal activity of child exploitation, and investment and credit card fraud.

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